Project Description: The Final Creative Projects synthesized the skills learned and honed in Ableton Live 11 throughout the semester in an industry-length piece of the composer's own conception and execution. The project's only requirements were that the pieces be 3-5 minutes in length and combine Sampling, Audio Processing, MIDI, FM or Wavetable Synthesis, Virtual Instruments, Automation, Mixing, and Mastering to create a cohesive whole demonstrating the composer's unique creative voice.
Five student pieces are posted below, each with the composer's name, piece title, and excerpted introductory remarks by the composer from the reports submitted along with the pieces' audio. Pieces posted with student permission.
David Russell, "End of Time"
From the Composer: "The idea I had for the song was to mashup some elements from some of the early music I listened to before actually starting production with some elements of what I currently use for sound design and music. Deadmau5 was an early influence to me and one of the first electronic artists I listened to for my own enjoyment. The trance-like elements mixed with edm and hard basslines gravitated towards me and it was always something I wanted to recreate. In general I wanted 3 main sections of the song that had a really nice tone and ethereal vibe to it. After messing around with the main melody, I tested different sounds to see what went well with it and then moved on to the drums. I adjusted the groove by adding layers and then separating segments to add to the progression of the track. I added plenty of automation and even used some of the LFO tool function to adjust the tail end of the hats to add more variation and prevent it from being too stale."
Mimi Fariha, "Trap Vibes"
From the Composer: "[Trap Vibes] showcases my exploration of trap music elements... incorporating various virtual instruments and samples to create a cohesive and engaging piece. To build the sound palette for my piece... I started with a default plugin in FL Studio called Citrus, where I selected a pad sound and applied a plugin called HalfTime to give it a unique effect. To enhance the overall composition, I included a piano sound from the VGM one-shot kit. Throughout the project, I focused on two main pads that played in and out, interacting with the other sounds and serving as the top melodies. I made decisions based on the sounds that appealed to me and fit well together."
Atreyu Dunson, "Cell Phones"
From the Composer: "I knew I wanted to challenge myself to do something fun but contained. I wanted to make something simple but I wanted it to have a flare to it as well. After coming up with a groove to get started it was easier to build my idea. I then went through some of my sample sound effects and I browsed through them until I found this really cool sounding cell phone sound. Slowly but surely my project was starting to form into something with potential. However, I knew it was still missing some important elements that can really bring it out... I went on to add some more elements to try to make it pop. I took certain sounds and I put effects like glitch on it. Halfway through my verses I also use an automation filter on my mid-range synth to give it a different effect. I had to use all of the techniques that I developed throughout the semester but it paid off."
Daniel Lopez, "PS2 DREAMS"
From the Composer: "My original plan for this project was completely different. I wanted to work with chiptune instruments and make a sort of retro rendition of a few of my favorite tracks from my favorite J-Pop group all together in a medley. Problems quickly arose when trying this idea... So I scrapped that idea and went with something I was more used to, an atmospheric piece. The idea came to me one day after my Ableton session crashed for the 4th time. I was looking around in my room, feeling dejected and unmotivated when I saw my Playstation 2 in the corner of my room. I was feeling nostalgic so I decided to play it for a bit and that experience of nostalgia and childlike wonder and reminiscence was the kind of thing I wanted to put into a song. I decided to record myself opening up a game case, flipping the disc tray up, putting in a game, closing the lid, and turning the system on. I then had an idea, "If I'm replicating the feel of playing a nostalgic game console, why not switch up the style like I'm changing games?" Overall I feel like I did a good job with conveying the message I wanted to with this piece."
Cooper Shay, "Oceans"
From the Composer: "For my final project I decided to attempt creating a relaxing lofi-esque piece. The piece starts off with the sound of a cassette being put into a player while the droning sound it makes after plays on loop throughout the whole song. Then after a few seconds delay, a piano and bass come in softly as part of the hook. The droning cassette player sound that plays on loop along with all the other cassette player samples I downloaded in some internet library. Then, to transition to the next section, I found a reversed cassette tape sample and followed it up by playing the piano in the hook backwards to try and make it seem like the piece was playing in reverse. I end the song with the droning cassette player sound stopping and the cassette being ejected from the player. Overall, I had a really fun time conceptualizing this piece and I am pretty happy the way it turned out."